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Monday, May 02, 2011

In addition to bin Laden, one of his sons, two couriers and a woman died as she was used as a human shield when the soldiers stormed the house.

Former President George W. Bush said in a statement that he had personally been informed by Obama of the death of the terrorist leader whose attacks forever defined his eight years in office.

"This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001," the former president said.

"The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."

When I first heard the news and the President's statement, I was very happy about it. But, it hit me soon after: Do we really know it was Osama in Laden? They said a DNA test was done, and it was determined to be bin Laden. But there will always be questions. Not everyone is going to believe the government's story. I'm not sure I do or not yet. Do you? (Please see my latest update below. I DO believe we got bin Laden. He sleeps with the fish!)

(Reuters) - The body of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was taken to Afghanistan after he was killed in Pakistan and was later buried at sea, the New York Times reported on Monday.

Wait a minute... Something seems to be wrong with this story. What is going on?

I heard the news about the burial at sea while listening to Coast to Coast A.M. Monday morning. George Noory, the show's host, was incredulous about the fact that we don't have the body now. Callers to the show in the last few minutes after George had heard the news about the burial at sea from his colleague and frequent guest, Richard Hoagland, were just as incredulous, disbelieving, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, hesitant, mistrustful, questioning, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, and/or wary as was George. There were many words that could describe the apprehensive response to this news. But every one of the callers and guests to Coast to Coast A.M. could only come up with one thought: Something is very wrong here!

Another update: I just heard that the other bin Laden associates killed along with the terror mastermind have NOT been buried yet (the Muslim tradition is to bury the body within 24 hours of death).

Another update (at 7:50 A.M. Central): I would not worry about the people that were worrying about Obama sleeping with the fish so quickly. No, I join ALL Americans in the victory rally today! We got the evil man, and let's celebrate! And my thanks to all of our military for all that they do. God bless America! Hoooo-Rah!

Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is dead and the U.S. has his body, according to U.S. and Pakistani officials.

The terror mastermind of al-Qaida repsonsible for the 9/11 attacks on America was shot in the head by U.S. forces in a mansion outside the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

President Obama made the announcement in a national address late Sunday night from the White House, calling bin Laden a terrorist responsible for the murder of thousands of American men, women and children.

"Last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible to lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain and it took many months to run this thread to the ground.

"Last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden, and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties.

"After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body," said Obama. "Justice has been done."

DNA testing confirmed that it was bin Laden, sources told ABC News.

His body is "being handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition," one senior administration official said. He is expected to be buried at sea.

The government has not said whether a photo of bin Laden will be released to the media as proof of his death.